Clasp



Patented June 10, 1924.

Mausi GUSTAVUS A. SIEFKEN, 0F MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. i

CLASP.

Application filed August 6, 1923i. Serial No. 655,875.

T o all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GsTAvUs A. SIEFKEN, a citizen of the United Stz'ites. resident of Minneapolis, county of Hennepin, and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to clasps of the soc'alled safety type particularly adapted for detachably holding together the ends' of necklaces, bracelets and Similar articles of jewelry as well as belts and other articles.

The'object of this invention is to provide a clasp which, while not di'flicult to open or close'when operated in the 'intended manner, will not become accidentally or sur'reptitiously released. Furthermore, a clasp is provided which is simple and effective in operation, of few parts and relatively inexpensive in production and which does not mar the ornamental appearance of the article with which it is employed;

Other objects of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawings, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings :y

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of the clasp' as employed in conjunction with a necklace of the flexible chain type;

Figure 2 is an enlarged similar view of the clasp in locked position;

Figure 3 is a lon itudinal section through the parts shown in igure 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to that of-Figure 3 but showing the forked element partially withdrawn from the socket; and

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of the parts shown in Figure 2.

TheJ selected embodiment of the invention here shown for purposes of disclosure of the invention consists broadly in the combination of a body member adapted to be yieldably engaged by a two-part resilient element with a latch movably carried by the element and secured to the article to be clasped so that the normal tension upon the adjacent end of the article will hold the latch in locking position so that the element may not be drawn or become disengaged from the body i to wiich the other end of the article is secure Such body is here shown as a socket 6, preferably of ornamental exterior configuration, and having an eye 7 affixed thereto. The eye 7 is adapted to have'one end of the article, such as the chain 8, secured thereto. The socket is hollow and inwardly presents, adjacent its other open end., an abutment such as the annular shoulder 9 which may be conveniently formed by inwardly bending the terminal portion to form an openingconstricting flange.

The other main part of the clasp is preferably formed by the forked element, the forks of which are resiliently held in spaced 'relation and pro-vided with means to engage the annular shoulder when the forks are yieldably pressed together upon insertion within the socket opening. This element may be formed in any suitable way such as by the split element of spring metal shown in the drawings. The split provides the two forks 11 and 12 which are formed normally to assume a position in which they are relatively spaced apart. The fork 11 is preferably shaped to afford a finger-piece 13 which is of reduced cross-section so as to form a notch or shoulder 14 providing means 'to engage an abutment inwardly presented at the mouth or opening of the socket. This finger-piece is terminally offset. The other fork 12 is terminally provided with an enlarged portion to offer a bearing for a pivot pin 15 upon which is movable mounted the locking latch.

This latch has a bifurcated bearing 16 to straddle the enlarged portion of the fork 12 and to bear the outer end portions of the pin 15. The bearing 16 has an integral ring 17 to which may be secured the other end of the article to be clasped, such other end being here shown as a link or ring 18. y The locking function is accomplished by means of the wedge 19 formed upon the latch to project over the pin 15 and between the bifurcated bearing 16 so that, when the latch is turned into substantial alinement with thev fork upon which it is mounted, the `Awedge 19 will be forced between the two forks and hold them in locked vspaced relation with the shoulder 14 engaging the annular shoulder 9 of the socket as is shown in Figure 3. When so locked, the two ends of the necklace or other article will, when in use, tend .withdrawn from the socket with the two Y 'forks in abutting relation.

lliavinlbf` thus described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. ln a clasp, the combination of a body member, a resilient bifurcated element adapted to have a releasable engagement with the body member, a locking device mounted upon one bifurcation and adapted to be, moved between the two bifurcations to maintain them in spaced, non-releasable engagement with the body member, the body member being` adapted to have one end of the article to be clasped secured thereto, and means for connecting the other end oi the article to be clasped to said locking device in the socket to engage yieldably the an- L nular shoulder oit the body, a latch pivotally carried by the forked element and adapted, when in substantial alinement therewith, to enter between the yieldably fork portions to maintain them in locked spaced relation, f

and means for securing the other end ot the article to be clasped to the pivoted latch whereby the latch is normally held in substantial alinement with the forked element and the clasp thereby locked.

In Witness whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of July, 1923.

GUSTAVUS A. SEFKEN. 

